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2023 Precision Production Degree Guide

Are you interested in the field of manufacturing and love to build things? Precision Production could be the field for you. Whether you like working with metal, wood, or leather, this major is for any type of craftsman.

A program in Precision Production will provide students with the technical knowledge and skill to develop products using precision manufacturing and illustration. The two main majors in the field are Precision Metal Working and Woodworking. Some of the courses you can expect to take are drawing digital design course, welding, tool-and-die making, and furniture design. This program is commonly seen as a certification or Associate's degree.

Precision Production Degrees Growing in Popularity

#36 Most Popular Major
52.9k Degrees Awarded
1.7% Increase in Graduates

Precision Production was the 36th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 52,913 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 908 over the prior year, a growth of 1.7%.

Our 2023 Best Precision Production Schools ranking analyzes 104 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for precision production students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of precision production programs later in this article.

2023 Best Colleges for Precision Production
2023 Overall Best Precision Production Colleges >

Best Precision Production Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Precision Production
Bachelor's Degrees in Precision Production
Master's Degrees in Precision Production

What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Precision Production

Students who go into this field should be comfortable with basic math, geometry and computer skills. You will be constantly measuring items and need to be careful with details. Problem solving skills will help you resolve complications in projects.

Because this is a hands-on job, it requires physical strength and stamina. You will be working on-site, lifting heavy materials and working long hours. Apprenticeships make up part of most of these programs. Students are paired up with professionals in the field to learn while doing.

Precision Production Degree Program Entry Requirements

New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional precision production certifications required to pursue a career in this field.

Types of Precision Production Degrees

There are various different levels of precision production degrees. You can get anything from a in precision production to the highest precision production degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common precision production degree levels is shown below.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to precision production, with approximately 3.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for precision production workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
High School Diploma 52.0%
Post-Secondary Certificate 22.1%
Less than a High School Diploma 13.5%
Some College Courses 7.3%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 3.7%

View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in precision production careers have.

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The education level required is different depending on the precision production career you are seeking.

Career Opportunities for Precision Production Majors

Above Average Number of Jobs
$34.7k Average Starting Salary
-2% Decline Job Outlook 2016-26

Your career options will be determined by what concentration you chose. Graduates of Precision Metal Working can find jobs as structural iron and steel workers, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, sheet metal workers, machinist, and tool and die maker. These are professionals who link metal parts and use hand-held welding equipment to fill indentions or holes of metal products.

Woodworking majors become woodworkers, carpenters, construction laborers and helpers, and construction managers. Construction laborers and helpers do basic tasks on the construction site that required physical labor. Theses professionals commonly work fulltime, although bad weather can affect working conditions.

Small Decline Projected for Precision Production Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your precision production degree?

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to precision production.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 427,300 5.6%
Machinists 404,100 2.0%
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 175,900 -8.7%
Sheet Metal Workers 150,900 8.6%
Machine Tool Operators 147,300 1.1%

How Much Money Do Precision Production Grads Make?

Precision Production graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $34,707 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $16,881 to as high as $64,677. As you might expect, salaries for precision production graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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High Paying Careers for Precision Production Majors

Salaries for precision production graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers precision production grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Boilermakers $63,240
Wood Patternmakers $59,650
Metal and Plastic Model Makers $56,920
Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers $56,300
Tool and Die Makers $53,650

Getting Your Precision Production Degree

With over 3,318 different precision production degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased precision production school rankings to help you with this.

Study Areas in Precision Production

Precision Production Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Precision Metal Working 52,308
Woodworking 431
Other Precision Production 68
Leatherworking & Upholstery 54
Precision Production Trades 39

View All Precision Production Related Majors >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Personal & Culinary Services 130,328
Mechanic & Repair Technologies 96,336
Construction Trades 35,794
Transportation & Materials Moving 29,084

View All Precision Production Related Majors >

References

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